These Keto Apple Cider Donut Bites are easy to make and fun to eat. They have the classic fall treat with a fraction of the carbs.
I have a theory about pick-you-own apple orchards. I used to love going apple-picking with my kids, especially when we lived in Boston. It is classic New England autumn entertainment and my kids always had a ball.
But places like this are the devil for low carb dieters. They are the snake in the Garden of Eden, tempting you not with apples but with apple cider donuts. Every time you step out of the car, it hits you: that warm cinnamon-y smell of apple cider donuts.
I swear they pipe it into the parking lot to lure us all into the farm store. And it can be very hard to resist. But these Keto Apple Cider Donut Bites are the best defense against such chicanery.
These mini keto muffins, warm out of the oven with that sweet apple and cinnamon flavor, have the perfect taste and texture. They certainly keep me from craving the real thing!
Why you will love this recipe
Keto Apple Cider Donut Bites have been one of my most popular recipes since I first created it in 2016. And they are astonishing easy to make. They consist of an apple flavored mini muffin, rolled in butter and dredged in a sugar-free cinnamon coating.
Real apple cider is, of course, not at all low carb. But with a little apple extract, you can get that same great flavor. And the cinnamon “sugar” coating is key to that real apple cider donut experience.
I have played around with this recipe and simplified it a bit. It still has all the same great flavor and texture. And the same low carb profile it has always had, with only 2.6g net carbs. And kids really love these little bite-sized treats. It’s a fun breakfast or after-school snack, or you could tuck a few into their lunchbox!
I know that the apple extract may seem like a purchase you won’t use again, but you will! Because it’s great in recipes like Keto Caramel Apple Scones and my delectable Keto Apple Cheesecake Bars. It’s useful stuff!
Reader Reviews
“Omg! The best tasting keto donuts for autumn season. Another terrific recipe that keeps me on track. Thank you!” — Kerry
“Unbelievable! I tasted a crumb out of the pan and was shocked at how good and how authentic these taste. It was all I could do not to eat way too many. My stepdaughter is a very picky eater, and she liked them a lot. Her boyfriend was shocked that they are keto. So much apple flavor! I thought I’d never taste anything like this again. I’m glad I was wrong ????. This goes on my ever growing list of must make again Carolyn recipes. Carolyn, you are the best!” — Marcy
“These turned out perfectly! They have a great texture; not crumbly and the taste is amazing! 10/10 will make again.” – Nikki
Ingredients you need
- Almond flour: Using good quality almond flour is extremely important for keto muffins. Many brands say that they are finely ground but you can see the grainy texture when you bake with it. I always recommend Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur Baking.
- Sweetener: I like the flavor of brown sugar replacement in the muffins themselves, but prefer allulose for the cinnamon “sugar” coating. See the Tips for Success for more options.
- Protein powder: As always, some protein powder makes keto muffins lighter and fluffier. I don’t recommend skipping it, although you can use egg white protein instead.
- Butter: You will need melted butter for the donut batter as well as a glue for the cinnamon “sugar” coating.
- Apple extract: This is my secret weapon to add apple flavor to these donut bites without adding carbs from using real apples. It’s available online.
- Cinnamon: Rolling the donut bites in a cinnamon and sweetener mixture is part of what gives it that classic donut flavor.
- Pantry staples: Eggs, baking powder, and salt.
Step by Step Directions
1. Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Add the wet ingredients. Whisk in the eggs, butter, and apple extract until well combined. Whisk in the water a little at a time until you have a nice scoopable batter.
3. Add to the pan: Divide the mixture among the wells of a well greased mini muffin pan.
4. Bake the donut bites: Bake at 325ºF for 15 to 20 minutes, until muffins are firm to the touch. Remove and let cool 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Coat the donut bites: In a small bowl, whisk together the sweetener and cinnamon. Dip each donut bite into the melted butter, coating completely and shaking off the excess. Then roll each donut bite into the cinnamon/sweetener mixture.
Tips for Success
When greasing the mini muffin pan, I recommend greasing once with a solid fat like butter, and then lightly spraying with avocado oil spray. You really want it well coated when baking without liners.
Also make sure not to leave the mini muffins in the pan too long. Once they fully cool, they become even harder to get out of the pan. If you need to, use a sharp knife to gently loosen the sides before lifting out the muffin.
Sweetener options: You can really use any sweetener you like best in the mini muffins, but I do think that brown sugar substitute gives them the best flavor. You can also use any granular sweetener for the cinnamon “sugar” coating. I just like allulose because I find that erythritol and cinnamon together have a very sharp flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can bake them in a donut pan to make larger Keto Apple Cider Donuts if you wish. Grease the pan well and bake for about the same amount of time, but keep your eye on them. You will probably get about 8 donuts.
Store these donuts in a covered container on your counter for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze the donuts for several months.
This keto apple cider donut bites recipe has 4.8g of carbs and 2.2g of fiber per serving. That comes to 2.6g net carbs for 2 donut bites.
More delicious fall treats
Keto Apple Cider Donut Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
Donut Bites:
- 2 cups almond flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar replacement
- ¼ cup unflavoured whey protein powder
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 ½ teaspoon apple extract
- ⅓ cup water
Coating:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF and grease a mini muffin pan (24 cavity pan) very well. You can also use silicon or parchment paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk in the eggs, butter, and apple extract until well combined. Whisk in the water a little at a time until you have a nice scoopable batter.
- Divide the mixture evenly among the wells of the prepared mini muffin pan.
- Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until muffins are firm to the touch. Remove and let cool 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sweetener and cinnamon. Dip each donut bite into the melted butter, coating completely and shaking off the excess. Then roll each donut bite into the cinnamon/sweetener mixture.
Leide Galhardo says
Carolyn, Can anything be used in place of almond flour? I just wanted to try another lowcarb flour if it is possible. Thank you for sharing amaizings recipes.
Carolyn says
Sunflower seed flour.
Leide Galhardo says
Thank you!
Deborah Smith says
Carolyn, your recipes continue to thrill my family – thank you for all you do!!!
Whey Protein Powder – can I use Whey Protein Isolate? Will it affect texture/flavor? REALLY want to make these today for the kids New Year’s treat (ordered everything via your links but missed one item I guess!) but I only have Quest protein powder and whey isolate on hand…..
Carolyn says
It should work for these.
Jen says
Could you use collagen protein instead of whey? Or would that maybe effect the texture? Just curious because that’s what I have on hand.
Carolyn says
I definitely don’t recommend that and I would simply skip the protein powder. every time I have attempted using collagen, it becomes gummy and doesn’t rise nearly as well.
Integra says
Oh how I love the orchard you mentioned! Those apple cider donuts are such a waekness! I can’t wait to try these out :).
Lindsey says
Do I have to use a doughnut maker? Or a doughnut pan….can I use a baking sheet?? Or muffin pan?? GRRRR. I just want to make something with what I friggen have!
Carolyn says
If you read the recipe you will see…It’s made in a mini muffin tin. I do not own a doughnut maker, although I do have a donut pan.
Jane says
I just bought a donut hole maker at the Salvation Army store for $3.99 and would love to use it as a local bakery makes apple cider donut holes that are delicious. I suspect this will make a batter that is too thin to use in the donut hole maker. Has anyone tried this technique?
Carolyn says
The batter’s actually pretty thick. I think it might work.
Nicole says
These look great! I will definitely have to try them. For those looking for Apple extract, I found Lorann’s oil apple flavour in twin pack for $3.99 USD on the Michael’s U.S. website. It is also on the Canadian Michaels site as well.
Karen says
Been trying to make these since last fall – during ‘apple’ season. (Food is somewhat theme-y – amirite? Pumpkin and apples in the fall. Peppermint and Gingerbread at Christmas time.) ANYway, even tho’ it’s way past the ‘correct’ season for these, made them last weekend. I have no reference to apple cider donuts (never had one — but truly have never met a donut I didn’t like!) and they sounded so unusual to me. As with ALL your recipes, these are wonderful. The perfect little bite with a cup of coffee or tea (or even almond milk). DELISH.
Angela says
What whey protein do you recommend?
Carolyn says
This is one of my faves: http://amzn.to/2so5CGK
Sarah says
Is it possible to use Great Lakes Collagen powder in place of whey protein powder?
Carolyn says
No, much to gummy.
Lisa says
I just pulled these out of the oven and couldn’t wait for them to cool completely! They are so good! I was a little put off by how much I spent on the flavoring extract, but they are worth it for sure!! I’m going to order more of the extract now! Thank you! Happy Easter
Deb says
THM E? I substituted vanilla and maple flavorings for the apple flavoring. These didn’t have a strong apple taste, so I might try the boiled down acv mentioned above in place of water and see what happens.
Carolyn says
S recipe.
patti says
Very nice! Our family really enjoyed the testure of the bites!
Meaghan lewis says
Any replacement for the Apple cider vinegar? Regular vinegar?
Carolyn says
No, you really need the ACV to get the right flavour. I suppose you could skip it altogether but it won’t be the same.
Christine M says
I used THM gentle sweet instead of swerve, and almond extract because I had no apple extract, and wow these are great donuts! I also skipped the rolling in sugar. You are one of the few LC bloggers I have found in my 3 years of THM whose recipes always turn out great.
Carolyn says
I am so glad to hear that!
Sharon says
I actually work at one of those close to Boston, New England pick-your-own orchards and these donuts really are the end all, be all of my fall. I can’t wait to give this a try!!!!
Karen says
One word. REDICULOUS, I had to walk away, serious yum!
Michelle L. says
Carolyn, Do you think I could sub THM Baking Mix for the almond flour? I REALLY want to make these and I don’t have almond flour but I do have THM Baking Mix. I’ve never subbed in any of your recipes, I always make them as written so I thought I would ask you. Thanks!
Carolyn says
You can but it is dryer so add more fat in there to make sure your end result isn’t as dry.
Bob says
I made these today and made a couple changes. I took 1 cup of regular apple cider and boiled it down to 1/2 cup. I used what I needed to replace the water, extract and vinegar. It did add appox 1 additional carb per bite, but oh my gosh they were soooo good.
Bob says
PS: very little effect on my blood sugar
Carolyn says
Nice work!
Suzanne O says
Wow! Just made these and they were AWESOME! I admit I made full size muffins and subbed Jay Robb vanilla protein powder, since that’s what I had on hand. I have a conference in the morning, with “breakfast provided”. We all know that means doughnuts and fruit. I’ll be taking one of these to enjoy instead.
Carolyn says
Yay, so glad you like them!
Bob says
could you use apple cider instead of the vinegar/extract? and if so, would you use the same amount? That amount of apple cider has very few carbs.
Carolyn says
Well, but you’d need to replace the water with apple cider too. The water/vinegar/extract is what is replacing cider here.